Private, Public, or Homeschool?
Why Our Decision Works for Us
Why did we choose a private Christian school? Young families today with school-age children face tremendous pressures, and our family is no exception. Our country’s ongoing moral decline means that many negative forces are vying for our children’s hearts and minds.
Why Our Decision Works for Us
Why did we choose a private Christian school? Young families today with school-age children face tremendous pressures, and our family is no exception. Our country’s ongoing moral decline means that many negative forces are vying for our children’s hearts and minds.
Our increasingly secular society disregards and even undermines the beliefs and moral values of most Christian families. Raised in secular backgrounds, we wanted to be absolutely certain our children were launched with a Christian worldview, were educated in a solid academic environment, and were safe from violence.
Reality Check: Private vs. Public
• Stronger Academics
The benefits of private schools are often significant, and many private schools place high priority on academic excellence. Students tend to be more motivated, parents are more involved, and the distractions that are common to public schools do not exist in the private school world. Studies show that students in private schools score higher on standardized tests, and send more graduates to college than public schools.
• Greater Safety
Schools have changed a lot over the past few decades. Many public schools now have security guards or police stationed inside, and metal detectors have become commonplace in an attempt to keep out dangerous weapons. One of the benefits of private schools is safety. In addition, a major benefit is that the parent can have a say in the moral direction of the education by choosing an appropriate private school.
• Lifelong Benefits
Private schools aren't just for the wealthy, either. In many cases, private schools have shown in research to be a key element in breaking the cycle of poverty. The benefits of private schools aren't just academic. Private school students from poor families are three times more likely to go to college than a public school student from a poor family. And the private school is by no means an isolated ivory tower, with 23 percent of private school students being persons of color.
• Global Stats
The statistics aren't just limited to the U.S. The benefits of private schools have been shown around the world, with private school students performing better in New Zealand, Great Britain and several other countries.
This information has been excerpted from SchoolTrans.com. More thoughts about comparing public, private, and homeschooling options is available at
Focus on the Family.
How to Manage Your (Whopping) Tuition Bill
When it comes to paying for a private school education, there are several options open. The most important advice is simple: don’t be afraid to ask. If you need financial aid, just ask. If you feel you deserve a discount because you have several children at the school, consider asking. Also, research the availability of scholarships, grants, tuition payment plans, vouchers, and faculty & staff discounts.
Remember too that there will be considerable financial sacrifice involved, including fewer vacations, older cars, and/or a smaller home. This is the reality we wrestled with for the decade our two children were in private jr. high and high school. And then all the college tuition bills began rolling in after that! God was pleased to show us how to make it all happen, and private school was a decision we have never regretted.
Be Aware: What a Christian School Cannot Do
Reality Check: Private vs. Public
• Stronger AcademicsThe benefits of private schools are often significant, and many private schools place high priority on academic excellence. Students tend to be more motivated, parents are more involved, and the distractions that are common to public schools do not exist in the private school world. Studies show that students in private schools score higher on standardized tests, and send more graduates to college than public schools.
• Greater Safety
Schools have changed a lot over the past few decades. Many public schools now have security guards or police stationed inside, and metal detectors have become commonplace in an attempt to keep out dangerous weapons. One of the benefits of private schools is safety. In addition, a major benefit is that the parent can have a say in the moral direction of the education by choosing an appropriate private school.
• Lifelong Benefits
Private schools aren't just for the wealthy, either. In many cases, private schools have shown in research to be a key element in breaking the cycle of poverty. The benefits of private schools aren't just academic. Private school students from poor families are three times more likely to go to college than a public school student from a poor family. And the private school is by no means an isolated ivory tower, with 23 percent of private school students being persons of color.
• Global Stats
The statistics aren't just limited to the U.S. The benefits of private schools have been shown around the world, with private school students performing better in New Zealand, Great Britain and several other countries.
This information has been excerpted from SchoolTrans.com. More thoughts about comparing public, private, and homeschooling options is available at
Focus on the Family.
How to Manage Your (Whopping) Tuition Bill
When it comes to paying for a private school education, there are several options open. The most important advice is simple: don’t be afraid to ask. If you need financial aid, just ask. If you feel you deserve a discount because you have several children at the school, consider asking. Also, research the availability of scholarships, grants, tuition payment plans, vouchers, and faculty & staff discounts.
Remember too that there will be considerable financial sacrifice involved, including fewer vacations, older cars, and/or a smaller home. This is the reality we wrestled with for the decade our two children were in private jr. high and high school. And then all the college tuition bills began rolling in after that! God was pleased to show us how to make it all happen, and private school was a decision we have never regretted.
Be Aware: What a Christian School Cannot Do
a) substitute for a quality home environmentb) guarantee a perfect school environment
c) increase the level of your child’s intelligence
d) duplicate parental love and support
e) replace the spiritual influence of a parent (Read more...)
Where to Begin Your Search
The United States is blessed by a rich diversity of excellent private schools. These diverse schools—often faith-based—help fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism and collectively contribute to the common good. The Council for American Private Education provides a list of organizations representing the following denominations: Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical, Friends, Lutheran, and Reformed.
Where to Begin Your Search
The United States is blessed by a rich diversity of excellent private schools. These diverse schools—often faith-based—help fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism and collectively contribute to the common good. The Council for American Private Education provides a list of organizations representing the following denominations: Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical, Friends, Lutheran, and Reformed.
Related: Book Review: One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda
Photo Credits: familymwr, SideShowMom & automattias (Flickr)
Do you have any questions? I’ll do my best to answer from our personal experience.
Do you have any questions? I’ll do my best to answer from our personal experience.
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27 Comments:
that's what I am praying for, to find a private christian school around our area. thanks e-Mom!
Heartifying!
A Time To Weep and A Time To Laugh
I went to Catholic grade school and Catholic High School (all girls) for 3 years. I can vouch that I got a much better education than my Public School counter-parts.
A friend of mine whose husband is not a Christian sent their 3 girls to a private Christian school because she felt she needed more reinforcement of the beliefs that SHE was instilling in them.
Unfortunately I have seen some children transferred to Christian schools as a last ditch effort to change their behaviors. Dave and I worked with Youth and saw this happen several times. Christian schools are NOT a substitute for quality parenting nor should they be a boot camp epiphany for a wayward child!
Another friend of mine home-schooled their 2 daughters and yet another friend felt like their family was living out "being salt and light" by sending their children to public school.
It just proves that there is no right or wrong answer to this decision since every family is unique.
My post on BOYS is up and running, pictures and all! Hugs to you today and have an amazing week!
Connie
I agree that private schools can be a wonderful thing. I did not have a good experience as a pupil in one, but our son had a wonderful experience at his private primary school which was a linked to the Church of England, although not strictly speaking a Christian school. Thanks so much for hosting Marriage Monday!
Such an interesting subject and so many different experiences and perspectives....
No matter the school, I'm convinced that we as the parents must live our faith out loud, every day, in every way and that is the most powerfully positive thing we can ever do for our kids.
Thanks e-mom for some great thoughts. Hugs.
Excellent post. We chose a private Christian school for many of the same reasons, and thankfully the Lord has supplied along the way. Our last one is a junior, so we're almost done!
And I especially like the warnings about what even the best Christian school cannot do!
I have a special fondness for Christian schools, because it was through the influence of one that I was saved. I did not grow up in a Christian home, but the Lord graciously allowed me to go to a Christian school in 11th and 12th grades, and then I started going to the church associated with the school as well.
Great post! Sounds like your children really benefited from the Christian private school you were involved with! Mine go to public and thank goodness we don't have metal detectors or security guards in the halls! We are blessed......(we do have security doors tho but that just makes sense given this sin filled world we live in. I think the best thing is for each family to really pray and seek God about their child's education.
I enjoyed this, and I felt the same way as you.
My sons all attend private Christian schools with the exception of one. (He was in special ed the whole time he was in school).
Great points.
So glad to finally be back on MM.
Thanks once again for being such a GREAT hostess♥
I'm with Lynn. The most important part of a child's education is authentic living at home.
We didn't have the money to send our kids to private school so our kids did a combination of public school and home schooling. Thankfully, our local school worked well with us, allowing us to have them at home for portions of the day and send them to school for certain subjects.
Good post! We never could afford private school, so we went the home school road. Our sacrifices were the same as private..no vacations, less of a house, and old cars, because we could only have one income.
It worked for us and all four have paid their own way through college...God didn't provide through us, but He provided through other means.
Now we still have two more to go and we will see which way we go with the last two...funds are still not available.
As I tell everyone...pick your battles, no matter where they go to school there are battles.
In our area the private schools are where the kids go that were kicked out of public and the kids that my kids got in trouble with....LOL!!!!
It really is the home that provides the security and learning that goes a life time....their relationship with the Lord is the most important lesson of all!
There aren't a lot of private schools where I live so I appreciated learning about it from your article as I don't know anyone personally who has children in that system of education.
What an informative article! I think it will be very helpful to those trying to make a decision. You did an excellent job covering the pros and cons. Several in my family have their kids in private schools, and the kids have blossomed there.
Both my husband and I have been to private school, although not exclusively for the entire time. We also had my children in private school up until a few years ago. Definitely a choice that you have to put in God's hands. He will equip you for what He wants for your children. :)
I think like Constance said, I know from going to a private girls school and sending mine previously to a Christian academy that a lot of people I've met with send them there as a last stitch effort and that part frustrates me.. one of the reasons why I pulled my daughter out.. so I have mixed feelings about it.. but like everyone has said the good points and the bad and sometimes what suits one family doesn't another.. for myself we're homeschooling now, but who is to say we wont' be back at public or private... dunno yet lol... always a decision during the time!
Great thoughts and points!!
E-Mom
We homeschooled, but the last few years we have been apart of a private school for Christian homeschoolers. My children had great teachers and great experiences. Plus it gave them the classroom setting that they didn't get with me. I love that we all get to choose what is best for our kids. Thanks for hosting!
It's been so interesting to read the different paths God has taken so many of us down in order to educate our children. Great topic. Especially appreciate your warnings about what private school (or homeschool or public school) can NOT provide--a substitute for Mom and Dad.
I love that you pointed out that it's not a substitute for good parenting. I think sometimes parents choose it because they think it's the easy way to ensure their kids turn out fine.
We don't have many options around here . . . I don't think our private school has better academics than the public school, so that truly varies from place to place.
It's definitely a decision to make with the Lord!
Dear Sisters: Every month I’m Wowed by the high quality of writing I encounter on Marriage Monday. You not only write well, but you think well! Thank you for your contribution yesterday, and your deep love of children. If you haven't had a chance to visit around, I encourage to do so some time soon. Hugs, e-Mom ღ
P.S. I'm in the process of responding personally by email to each of your comments.
Amydeanne: Private school is was certainly not perfect--but much better than the public schools e-Dad and I graduated from. We did notice that not all the kids were Christian believers, and there is sin there, just like in the world. However, the curriculum and worldview were Bible-based, which fit perfectly with the training we were giving our kids at home.
I should mention that our kids did attend public up through sixth grade. And I taught private Art classes in the neighborhood to augment that. So we got to experience a diversity of school styles, and our children a well-balanced as a result.
God bless you in your school decisions!
((Hugs))) e-Mom
Good article! I agree about private schooling; having experienced both private and state education I know which one was better. I can't help thinking that state schools are constantly "experimenting" with children, because of government interferance. I know a lot of teachers get exasperated with people telling them how to do their job.
I really agree on the idea that we should not rely on our kids' Christian school to instill the values we want them to learn. That is in the first place every Christian parent's responsibility. Thank you so much for this month's very interesting topic so even if I'm very busy I have taken time to take part. I have a problem linking though. Please help.
Hugs and blessings, e-Mom and to all the participants here.
For those of you who left email addresses in your comments, a personal email is on the way...
Jonah So nice to meet you! I trust you'll find a good school soon. ღ
April: Your son is well-loved! (Don't they call public schools private in England, and vice versa?)
Lynn: You go girl: No matter the school, I'm convinced that we as the parents must live our faith out loud, every day... I know your daughter is well-grounded, thanks to your exceptional Christian parenting. ღ
Barbara H: Yippee: Our last one is a junior, so we're almost done! Thanks for sharing your testimony. Marvellous! ღ
Mac an Rothaich: I'm delighted to know that you found this post useful. ღ
Buffy: Oh yes, I'm sure this happens here too: I can't help thinking that state schools are constantly "experimenting" with children, because of government interferance. I know a lot of teachers get exasperated with people telling them how to do their job. Thanks for coming by today. ღ
NiceA: I appreciate the fact that you would take time to join us for Marriage Monday. I know you're very busy. It looks like you got the linky working. Blessings, e-Mom
Oh I'm so sorry for missing this - we were without internet for 3 days! Felt like a life time lol
Very well-rounded article. As I said before, I went to a private CofE school. It was definitely a big improvement on a state school (what you call public school, I think). However, there can still be unfavourable influences so a parent should monitor what's going on so that they can be sure to steer the ship back on course when necessary!
Buffy: Agreed! Thanks for commenting. ღ
I obviously liked this article a lot as I commented twice!!
Buffy: LOL, you're welcome to comment as many times as you like! I enjoy our discussions. ღ
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